Business praised for its disabled employee support
Minister sees benefits of scheme
A Perth business has been hailed as a trailblazer in recognising disabled staff.
Glenalmond Timber showcased its improvements in how it employs and retains staff with health conditions and disabilities to the minister for disabled people, work and health Sarah Newton MP.
The business recently signed up to the Disability Confident scheme, which challenges perceptions of what it means to employ disabled people and promotes the benefits of being an inclusive workplace.
Since becoming ‘disability confident,’ Glenalmond Timber has worked with the Perth Jobcentre and has employed people with a variety of health conditions and disabilities and created a supportive employment where all staff can thrive.
Among those taken on through the scheme is production operative Colin Cramb.
He said: “I am very happy working for Glenalmond Timber.
“Everyone makes me feel part of the team and they laugh with me not at me. I feel I am back to my normal self after being unhappy for a long time.”
A few days after Colin started with them Jed Gardner, Glenalmond Timber’s production manager, phoned the local job centre to find out where he could go to learn British sign language, to help communicate with Colin more effectively.
Jed said: “We have a great worker in Colin, we do not even recognise he is disabled to the point that everyone forgets he is deaf. Glenalmond Timber always Luke Graham MP and Sarah Newton MP with Colin Cramb and Jed Gardner of Glenalmond Timber consider giving a chance to anyone with a disability as we find them to be very hard working and they fit in well with our team.
“I would fully encourage other employers to become Disability Confident as the benefits far outweigh any concerns people may have.”
The ministerial visit was arranged by Luke Graham MP.
Ms Newton said: “Glenalmond Timber is leading the way in how it employs and retains disabled people and I’d encourage other employers to follow in its wake and become disability confident.
“Colin is hardworking and talented and it has been a pleasure to see how he is progressing in his role. Glenalmond Timber is clearly benefiting greatly from having him on its team.”
Glenalmond Timber learned about Disability Confident at a local employer event.
The scheme, developed by disabled people, employers and disability organisations, is designed to encourage employers to think differently about disability and to take action to improve how they attract, recruit and retain disabled employees.
Over 7000 employers across the UK have already signed up to Disability Confident, including employers such as Sainsbury’s, Arsenal FC and KMPG.